Toulon man faces burglary charges

TOULON — A man accused in multiple burglaries was scheduled Friday to go to trial Dec. 2 on the eight charges he faces in Stark County.

Robert L. Beard, 32, of Toulon pleaded not guilty to six counts of burglary and one each of attempted burglary and illegally possessing another person’s debit card after a preliminary hearing in which Circuit Judge Thomas Keith found probable cause for the charges.

Beard, who faces charges in at least three other counties as well, could face up to 14 years in prison on each burglary count because of previous convictions that sent him to prison in a multicounty sentencing agreement in 2005, Keith noted.

The alleged Stark County offenses occurred during a period of about eight months, and Beard confessed that he committed them “to look for cash to support his (heroin) habit,” Sheriff’s Detective Michael Leighton testified Friday.

Beard has given a similar explanation in Marshall County, where he has been charged with six burglaries in Henry in April, Henry Police Chief Steve Maurer said recently. He also faces charges in Henry and McDonough counties.

Stark County Public Defender Robert McBride was appointed to represent Beard in Marshall County as well, and a brief review of that case was also held. State’s Attorney Paul Bauer came to Toulon in order to avoid the need for transporting Beard, Bauer said.

A further hearing was set for Sept. 12 in both cases. Beard remains in custody in Stark County.